TL;DR
- 71-year-old handyman pleads guilty to three murders.
- Victims were elderly women he was hired to help.
- Community fears rise over safety in senior housing.
- Security cameras installed after the killings.
- Sentencing scheduled for May 30.
In a shocking turn of events, a 71-year-old handyman named Kevin Gavin has pleaded guilty to the brutal murders of three elderly women in a Brooklyn senior housing complex. Described by prosecutors as a predator lurking in plain sight, Gavin exploited the trust of his victims, who had hired him for assistance, only to have their lives stolen in horrific acts of violence.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Gavin admitted to killing the women between 2015 and 2021, earning him the grim title of “serial killer inside his own apartment building.” He pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder, striking a deal that will see him sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
District Attorney Eric Gonzalez expressed outrage, stating, “This defendant exploited elderly women who trusted him, gained access to their homes, and murdered them in a series of brutal attacks that shocked the conscience.” The victims—Myrtle McKinney, 82; Jacolia James, 83; and Juanita Caballero, 78—were all residents of the Carter G. Woodson Houses, a public housing complex designed for seniors.
The details of the murders are as chilling as they are tragic. McKinney was found stabbed in the neck on November 8, 2015, while James suffered a brutal death after Gavin stomped on her neck and chest on April 30, 2019. Caballero, known affectionately as “Lucy” for her side hustle of selling loose cigarettes, was strangled with a phone cord on January 14, 2021, during what authorities believe was a robbery gone wrong.
Gavin’s arrest came shortly after Caballero’s body was discovered, and he confessed to the murders, claiming disputes over money led to the fatal encounters. In the aftermath of these horrific events, community members voiced their fears regarding safety in the complex, leading to increased security measures. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced the installation of 140 security cameras throughout the buildings, aiming to restore a sense of safety for residents.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these crimes, the upcoming sentencing on May 30 looms large, with many hoping for justice for the victims and their families. Gavin’s actions have left a scar on the community, reminding everyone that trust can sometimes lead to the darkest of betrayals.
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